Here is the final part of my story. If you have not read them yet, here are links to Part 1 and Part 2. Please comment about your opinions of the story; I would really appreciate it!
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Next came the offertory procession. Two of the ‘first communion’ children got up and shuffled to the back of the circular church with their palms pressed together in front of them, as they were shown by their teacher. One scooped up a candle, while the other heaved up a large brass bowl of ‘Holy’ water. The candle was meant to symbolise God’s everlasting presence, while the holy water was a sign of cleansing and new beginning. The long-haired boy carrying the holy water was having some difficulties walking up to the altar. He had acquired a sporting injury the day before, causing him to limp. Behind him there was a trail of regularly distributed splashes. Fortunately the girl holding the candle did not spill splashes of fire on her way up!
Finally the congregation arrived at the most important part of the mass. The blessing of the bread and wine, followed by the distribution of the Body of Christ to the ‘First Communion’ children. Fr. Jack unlocked the tabernacle and retrieved the Eucharist from its depths. After placing the ornate chalice on the altar, he moved the large bible to the side and prepared himself for the blessing. He noticed that the rain had picked up again outside and secretly prayed that it would stop by the time the mass had ended.
“During the meal Jesus took some bread in his hands. He blessed the bread and broke it. Then he gave it to his disciples and said, <Take this and eat it. This is my body.>”
Suddenly, just after the priest held up the large circular bread, something bright and fast flew down from above. Everyone saw it; the teacher who was listening intently to the sacred words, the parents who whispered to each other quietly at the back of the church and even the toddler who had escaped the grasp of his mom and was giggling madly beside the statue of Mary. It was heading straight towards the priest, who was the only person who had not yet discovered what was happening. Fortunately he did not have to wait long before he felt it smack onto him forcefully. The chubby little boy gasped and put his hand up to his mouth.
Father Jack was furious. He was drenched from head to toe. The decaying church with its leaky roof was going to be the death of him. He was still holding the Eucharist, but in his shock he had ripped the wafer in half. Now both soggy semi-circular sections where drooping down dangerously low in his hands, threatening to collapse into a miserable pile on the floor. Mrs. Hackett was nowhere to be seen. She had had enough and was now probably taking out her frustration on some poor potted plant.
He had seen enough. He had to admit, it was an amusing afternoon. The timing had been perfect. But slowly his enthusiasm faded. They didn’t know what they were doing; not the priest, not the teacher and definitely not the children. The only real reason why the First Communion took place while the children were still so young was because they weren’t old enough to question…
“No.” He stopped his line of thought. What was the point of worrying about such insignificant things? Humans are insignificant; just some pieces of a large game, too large for them to comprehend. And so he went, leaving for some greater paradise beyond. The earth was quiet, with nothing marking his departure except a slight breeze, which pushed away the last few remaining clouds from the afternoon sky.
